Sexually Transmitted Infections and Health Seeking Behaviour among Ghanaian Women in Accra
), Allan G Hill(2), Joseph D Seffah(3), Rudolph Darko(4), John K Anarfi(5), Rosemary B Duda(6),
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
The study was to measure the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms among women in Accra, Ghana, to identify characteristics that predispose to STI symptoms and to identify factors that influence health-seeking behaviour of women with STI symptoms. Data were collected by trained interviewers through questionnaire interviews of 3183 women. Data analysis was restricted to 1329 women with complete data. Only 19% of our study group had STI symptoms. Only 35% of the women with STI symptoms received care. Having high wealth index, being older and having no history of condom use were protective factors for experiencing STI symptoms. Seeking care was associated with increased by high wealth index and the presence of an offensive vaginal odour. Income level on its own did not affect health seeking behavior. Wealth index is the most significant determinant of a woman having STI symptoms and seeking care in Accra (Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12[3]:151-158).
RĖSUMĖ
Infections sexuellement transmissibles et le comportement sanitaire recherché parmi les femmes ghanéennes à Accra L’étude est de mesurer la prévalence des symptômes d’infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST) chez les femmes à Accra, Ghana, d’identifier les caractéristiques qui prédisposent les symptômes d’IST et d’identifier les facteurs qui influencent le comportement sanitaire recherché par des femmes ayant des symptômes d’IST. Les données ont été recueillies par des intervieweurs formées par le biais des questionnaires distribués à 3183 femmes. L’analyse des données a été limitée à 1329 femmes ayant des données complètes. Seuls 19% de notre groupe d’étude ont des symptômes d’IST. Seuls 35% des femmes ayant des symptômes d’IST ont reçu des soins. La possession d’une indice élevée de richesse, étant plus âgée et n’ayant pas d’histoire de l’utilisation des préservatifs sont tous des facteurs protecteurs pour éprouver des symptomes d’IST. La recherche de soin était associée à l’accroissement de l’indice élevée de richesse et la présence d’une odeur vaginale repoussante. Le niveau du revenu de sa part n’a pas endommagé la recherche sanitaire du comportement. L’indice de richesse est le déterminant le plus important d’une femme ayant des symptomes d’IST en recherchant du soin à Accra (Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12[3]:151-158).
KEY WORDS: Sexually transmitted infections; symptoms of sexually transmitted infections; Ghana; Africa
References
Sexually Transmissible Infections (CDC Guidelines). In: Nelson AL, Hatcher RA, Zieman M, Watt A, Darney PD, Creinin MD, editors. Managing contraception. Tiger, Georgia: Bridging the Gap Foundation; 2000. 141-161.
Apea-Kubi KA, Addo VN. HIV/AIDS and other STDs. In: Kwawukume EY, Emuveyan EE, editors. Comprehensive gynaecology in the tropics. Accra: Graphic Packaging Ltd; 2005. 81-99.
Merritt DF. Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. In: Holzman GB, Rinehart RD, Dunn LJ, editors. Precis: an update in obstetrics and gynecology. Primary and preventive care. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 1999. 7178.
Cates W, Farley TM, Rowe PJ. Worldwide patterns of infertility: is Africa different? Lancet 1985; 2(8455):596-598.
Stata Statistical software. Release 8.0 [ Stata Corporation, College Station, TX; 2005.
Hamilton LC. Statistics with STATA Updated for version 8. Thomson
Brooks/Cole; 2004.
Wolday D, Mariam Z, Mohammed Z, Meles H, Messele T, Seme W et al. Risk factors associated with failure of syndromic treatment of sexually transmitted diseases among women seeking primary care in Addis Ababa. Sex Transm Infect 2004; 80(5):392394.
Prasad JH, Abraham S, Kurz KM, George V, Lalitha MK, John R et al. Reproductive tract infections among young married women in Tamil Nadu, India. Int Fam Plan Perspect 2005; 31(2):73-82.
Mc Donough PG. Puberty. In: Holzman GB, Rinehart RD, Moghissi KS, editors. Precis: An Update in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Reproductive Endocrinolgy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 1998. 32-35.
Radcliffe KW, Ahmad S, Gilleran G, Ross JD. Demographic and behavioural profile of adults infected with chlamydia: a casecontrol study. Sex Transm Infect 2001; 77(4):265-270.
Monteiro EF, Lacey CJ, Merrick D. The interrelation of demographic and geospatial risk factors between four common sexually transmitted diseases. Sex Transm Infect 2005; 81(1):41-46.
Shahmanesh M, Gayed S, Ashcroft M, Smith R, Roopnarainsingh R, Dunn J et al. Geomapping of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in Birmingham. Sex Transm Infect 2000; 76(4):268-272.
Lassey AT, Adanu RM, Newman MJ,
Opintah JA. Potential pathogens in the lower genital tract at manual vacuum aspiration for incomplete abortion in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. East Afr Med J 2004; 81(8):398-401.
Parikh S, Brennan P, Boffetta P. Metaanalysis of social inequality and the risk of cervical cancer. Int J Cancer 2003; 105(5):687-691.
World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines for management of STIs. World Health Organization [ 2003 Available from: URL:http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/mngt_stis/guidelines_mn gt_stis.pdf
Adu-Sarkodie Y, Steiner MJ, Attafuah J, Tweedy K. Syndromic management of urethral discharge in Ghanaian pharmacies. Sex Transm Infect 2000; 76(6):439-442. 17. Guyatt HL, Snow RW. The management of fevers in Kenyan children and adults in an area of seasonal malaria transmission. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2004; 98(2):111-115.
Tumwikirize WA, Ekwaru PJ, Mohammed K, Ogwal-Okeng JW, Aupont O.
Management of acute respiratory infections in drug shops and private pharmacies in Uganda: a study of counter attendants' knowledge and reported behaviour. East Afr Med J 2004; Suppl:S33-S40.
Article Metrics
Abstract View
: 728 times
Download : 0 times
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
